Anthony R. Pelusi passed away peacefully at the Sawtelle Hospice House of Reading on Tuesday evening, surrounded by his loving family. He was 85.

Born and raised in East Boston, he was the son of the late Luigi and Elena (Savini) Pelusi. One of five children, he moved with his family to Medford as a teenager. Early in life he worked as a machinist at Hanscom Air force Base and then worked at Waltham Watch Co. He went to work for Sanborn Company which became Hewlett-Packard. There, his keen abilities developed as he became a tool and die maker, building delicate medical equipment. He proudly served nearly 20 years in the National Guard. Anthony was a devoted member of St. Joseph Parish Community in Medford. He was active in the Holy Name Society as well as the St. Vincent DePaul Society. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. Upon his retirement from Hewlett-Packard, Tony became the custodian at St. Joseph’s. With his mechanical skill he took up woodworking and put his masterful abilities to work not only in the parish but also with family and friends. Some of the gift crucifixes he made still adorn the homes of friends.

The beloved husband of RoseMarie (Miceli), he was a devoted father to: Anthony Pelusi, Jr. and his wife Kathleen of North Andover, Karen Cox and her husband Steven of Stoneham, Thomas Pelusi and his wife Maureen of Freemont, NH, Gail Tartarini and her husband Daniel of Wakefield, Sandra McNamee and her husband Miles of Manchester by the Sea and the late Richard A. Pelusi. He is lovingly survived by 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Predeceased by his siblings: Phyllis Bibo, Joseph, Frank, and Louis Pelusi, he leaves many dear nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may visit Friday, October 31 from 3 - 7 PM at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, and again on Saturday morning at 10 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 AM in St. Joseph Church, 118 High Street, Medford.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent in Anthony’s name to the American Diabetes Association, 10 Speen St., 2nd Floor, Framingham, MA 01701 or to the Boston Catholic Television Center, 34 Chestnut Street, PO Box 9196, Watertown, MA 02471.